Jean’s story draws attention

Former hockey player Spencer Jean, shown here Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, has suffered multiple concussions and still can't play sports like basketball or even run at full speed. Now, Jean is a first-year student studying Human Kinetices at The University of Windsor. He no longer plays contact sports. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Spencer Jean bared his soul in describing his struggles to overcome multiple concussions hoping his story could help educate others.

It’s turned out his brutal honesty may end up helping himself as offers of help, information and opportunities to advocate on the topic have poured in from across North America since his story appeared in Tuesday’s Star.

The offers have been as wide ranging as Edmonton Oilers’ star and former Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall offering to hook him up with renowned concussion specialist Dr. Frederick (Ted) Carrick, who treated Sidney Crosby, to local parents eager to share tips that have worked for their own children.

“Taylor contacted me through Facebook,” said Jean, who met Hall during his Windsor days through their mutual friend and now Philadelphia Flyer forward Eric Wellwood.

“He read the article and told me he had a bad concussion last March that didn’t get better until this year.

“He went to a clinic in Atlanta (Life University’s Functional Neurology Center) and saw Dr. (Ted) Carrick. It costs a $1,000 per day, but he’s convinced they can help anyone with a brain injury.”

Jean was also contacted via Twitter by Katherine Snedaker, who founded the concussion education and support group websites Sportcapp.com and TeamConcussion.com.

Jean’s story had been brought to Snedaker’s attention by her own Twitter followers.

Based out of Norwalk, Conn., Snedeker is a consultant for The Concussion Specialists of Connecticut, an advisor for the Science and Safety Committee of Connecticut and New York.

She also met with National Football League commissioner Roger Goodell and USA Football’ s executive director Scott Hallenback last summer to discuss her work as part of the NFL’s Youth Health and Safety Luncheon.

Snedaker and the NFL are exploring launching a regional program using America high-school athletes to educate younger athletes about concussions.

“I’d love to have Spencer come to the U.S. to speak ,” said Snedaker, who will address the Institute of Medicine/National Research Council workshop on sports concussions Monday in Washington D.C.

“I’ve seen how college athletes have taken similar experiences and used it. He can make a bigger impact on kids’ lives doing this than he would’ve with his hockey career.”

Snedaker said she’s notified several of her Canadian contacts about Jean’s story and suggested they use him as a speaker and resource. She plans on contacting Jean by phone next week to discuss some plans.

“Kids listen to athletes,” Snedaker said. “For the athletes, they love it too.

“They feel like sports stars again after having to stop doing something they love.”

Former hockey player Spencer Jean, has suffered multiple concussions and still can’t play sports like basketball or even run at full speed. Now, Jean is a first-year student studying Human Kinetices at The University of Windsor. He no longer plays contact sports. (NICK BRANCACCIO/The Windsor Star)

Jean, who is eager to get involved in advocacy work, said he’s also picked up a few American university professors following him now on Twitter after reading the article.

The 22-year-old Lakeshore resident, who is in the first-year of the human kinetics program at the University of Windsor, is delighted his story has touched so many.

“My plan was always to help raise awareness of concussions,” Jean said. “The reaction has been great.”

Jean added he knew he was taking the chance of being judged for laying out his story in such detail. However, he felt the message was more important than the risk of ridicule.

“I’ll tell anyone who asks, even if I don’t know them, what happened to me,” Jean said. “I’m not embarrassed about it.

“Most people don’t know that much about concussions and I thought my story could help change that.”

Jean said he’s encouraged by his progress and the potential for new avenues of help. His optimism is growing to the point now where he’s considering changing his career choice.

“I’m considering becoming a neurologist specializing in the area of concussions,” said Jean, who originally started out to become a physiotherapist.

“I’ll make that decision closer to graduation.

“But it would be the ideal job because it would have such personal meaning and emotion attached to it for me. It’s affected my life.”

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